Milos · Month comparison

November vs May

May ranks #1 overall vs November at #8. The single best month — full boat schedule, half the price, no August chaos.

November storm clouds over Milos volcanic coastline

November

#8 of 12 months

Strong option

Resorts fully shut and the island returns to its 5,000 permanent residents.

  • Cheapest hotel rates of the year for the few year-round properties
  • Olive harvest in the Halakas region — small agroturismo stays available
Kleftiko sea caves and turquoise water in May

May

#1 of 12 months

Best match

The single best month — full boat schedule, half the price, no August chaos.

  • Kleftiko boat tours run daily by late May — typically 8-12 guests not 40
  • Sarakiniko before 09:30 still belongs to you for sunrise shots
FactorNovemberMay
Weather score
5
9
Value score
10
7
Crowd score
10
8
Events score
2
5
Atmosphere
5
10
Avg high temp19°C23°C
Monthly rain70mm15mm
Daily sunshine5hrs10hrs

November trade-offs

  • No boat trips, no Kimolos ferry, no west-coast access without a 4x4 and good weather
  • Most restaurants closed; you eat where the locals eat or you don't eat

May trade-offs

  • Sea temperature 19-20°C — comfortable swimming but cooler than July's 24°C
  • Meltemi northerly wind starts kicking up — some north-coast beaches choppy
Scores compare months within Milos. Climate data: Open Meteo ERA5 30-year normals (1991–2020). Methodology →